I BELIEVE ... In The Holy Spirit, The Holy Christian Church
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Day 1: Read Ephesians 4:4-6. If God desires His Church to be one, where do you see that unity happening? Where is it hindered? Where is God seeking to use you to make His Church one in Jesus?
Day 2: Read Ephesians 4:1. For Paul, the calling he emphasizes is not being an apostle, but being a prisoner of the Lord. Where has the Holy Spirit called you to serve in your work/career, family, community and Christ Lutheran Church?
Day 3: Read Acts 2:44-45. American Christians fear the early church was a bunch of communists! Selling stuff and giving it away! They weren’t communists, they were sacrificial Christ-followers. They realized they were not just part of a Church. They were part of God’s family. Where have you seen such sacrificial love at work in your life? When and where have you been part of such sacrificial giving? What led you to such a sacrifice? Where is God prompting you to give what you have received from Him to help others through His Church?
Day 4: Read Ephesians 4:2-3. In addition to Jesus, whom do you think of when you read such qualities that Paul describes? Where do you see the Holy Spirit cultivating such qualities in your life? Where might He need to do some deeper work?
Day 5: Read Ephesians 4:7. One phrase Christians like to share about calling is: “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called!” That’s different than what some say in our day, when asked to serve they reply – “I’m just not gifted to do that. I don’t feel qualified at all.” Where is the Holy Spirit nudging you to step out of your comfort zone and serve others? What is holding you back? When will you step forward?
Day 6: Read John 16:7. The word for the Holy Spirit in the New International Version 1984 is “counselor”. In the original Greek the word is Parakaleo - tough for translators to find the exact meaning. If you break the Greek word up, you discover that it’s made up of 2 Greek words – Para – means to “stand beside”. Notice its “beside”, not way behind or way in front, but the Holy Spirit is right beside you in living life. And then Kaleo, which means “to call, to prod, to urge on, to encourage”. Where have you experienced the Holy Spirit standing beside you to encourage you this week? Where do you need to see His presence beside you to encourage you to walk boldly with Him? Where does He desire to use you to stand beside someone to encourage them?
You can go deeper by reading The Apostles’ Creed by Raymond F. Cannata and Joshua D. Reitano.
Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.
CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of October 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.
Comments